Over 500 motorcycles with 700 people took part in the annual Henderson County Toy Run which ended at the Henderson County Courthouse on Saturday. The event raised $6000 which will go to local agencies and all the toys collected will go to the Department of Social Services.

MIKE DIRKS/ T-N

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Motorcyclists from Henderson, Polk, Transylvania and Buncombe counties participated in the 15th annual Henderson County Toy Run organized by the Hendersonville Christian Motorcycle Association. The toy run is designed to raise money and collect toys for the Henderson County Department of Social Services. This year, the event will benefit 115 kids.

Coley, an Etowah resident participating for the fourth year, said he experienced something different Saturday. Bikes took a longer, more scenic route, pulling out of Fletcher Community Park at 1:30 and ending up on Main Street after riding through Mills River, Horse Shoe, Etowah and Hendersonville.

Coley passed his house , where his wife and three children were waiting and waiving.

“We drove right by the entrance to my house,” he said. “I have three children myself. That brings it home to me. It's a great charity.”

For Coley, the event is about showing kids that “complete strangers actually care about them,” adding that he couldn't imagine kids going without Christmas presents.

That heart poured out onto the steps at the courthouse Saturday. One by one, hundreds of bikers rolled into the parking lot, led by Bill Beal on his Honda VTX 1300. Beal has led the parade of bikers for the last five years.

His bike, with flames down its sides, emerged as police officers leading the parade split off.

“The bikers are just so generous,” Beal said. “Having the doorstep to put the presents on is impressive.”

The steps covered in presents were surrounded by the leather-clad bikers who raised their phones up, taking pictures, smiling and taking in the scene.

Dawn Shaw, administrative assistant at the Department of Social Services, agreed the bikers were generous and was thrilled at the scene that plays out every year.

She stood in the back of the truck as each biker walked by, decked in leather, while holding stuffed animals and other toys.

“Seeing the generosity and the caring of the community,” she said, pausing for a moment, “it's just heartwarming.”

<p>Kevin Coley walked away from the Henderson County Historic Courthouse steps with a big smile on his face. Just over his shoulder were hundreds of toys donated by nearly 700 bikers Saturday afternoon.</p><p>Motorcyclists from Henderson, Polk, Transylvania and Buncombe counties participated in the 15th annual Henderson County Toy Run organized by the Hendersonville Christian Motorcycle Association. The toy run is designed to raise money and collect toys for the Henderson County Department of Social Services. This year, the event will benefit 115 kids.</p><p>Coley, an Etowah resident participating for the fourth year, said he experienced something different Saturday. Bikes took a longer, more scenic route, pulling out of Fletcher Community Park at 1:30 and ending up on Main Street after riding through Mills River, Horse Shoe, Etowah and Hendersonville.</p><p>Coley passed his house , where his wife and three children were waiting and waiving.</p><p>“We drove right by the entrance to my house,” he said. “I have three children myself. That brings it home to me. It's a great charity.”</p><p>For Coley, the event is about showing kids that “complete strangers actually care about them,” adding that he couldn't imagine kids going without Christmas presents. </p><p> “Bikers have the biggest hearts,” event organizer Kimberly Carland said.</p><p>That heart poured out onto the steps at the courthouse Saturday. One by one, hundreds of bikers rolled into the parking lot, led by Bill Beal on his Honda VTX 1300. Beal has led the parade of bikers for the last five years.</p><p>His bike, with flames down its sides, emerged as police officers leading the parade split off.</p><p>“The bikers are just so generous,” Beal said. “Having the doorstep to put the presents on is impressive.”</p><p>The steps covered in presents were surrounded by the leather-clad bikers who raised their phones up, taking pictures, smiling and taking in the scene.</p><p>Dawn Shaw, administrative assistant at the Department of Social Services, agreed the bikers were generous and was thrilled at the scene that plays out every year.</p><p>She stood in the back of the truck as each biker walked by, decked in leather, while holding stuffed animals and other toys.</p><p>“Seeing the generosity and the caring of the community,” she said, pausing for a moment, “it's just heartwarming.”</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-6947881 or joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>